Saturday, December 31, 2011

Christmas Break!

MawMaw and PawPaw came to visit for Christmas this year! They flew in on Wednesday night, the 21st. JB and Brady went to get them while Rachel and I went to Awana. The kids and I had school on Thursday and half day Friday, but then we were all off for Christmas vacation! JB was on Christmas standdown, so except for the long hour that he had to put in on Tuesday and Friday mornings....he was off as well! We all went over to Norm's diner (except MM) on Saturday morn (Christmas eve) for a big ol breakfast! The kids couldn't wait to open their Christmas eve gifts after it got dark...so we went out in the afternoon to shoot some hoops down at the school to pass time:) Oh, and made cookies too! I think PawPaw and I took a nap and then we opened presents!!! Brady loved his tool set and Rachel loved her cotton balls and duck tape!!!! :) Christmas morning was most enjoyable, watching the kids with so much excitement. We all went to church to hear the Cantata and then came home for a big fried Chicken meal. I think Paw Paw and I took a nap. Then we drove around Christmas night and looked at Christmas lights.....so pretty! Monday started with a big biscuits and gravy breakfast and I think PawPaw and I took a nap. Then we shipped MM and PP off for their night at the Inn at Mystic which was their Christmas present. We did some shopping that night and ate at Longhorn Steakhouse because Rach got us a giftcard there for Christmas!!! Tuesday, MM and PP returned, we just hung around...I think PP and I took a nap, and then we got some Paul's pasta for dinner! Wednesday we had to take them back to the airport:( Thursday we took down our Christmas stuff and cleaned the house all up....that makes me happy:) The kids have truly enjoyed their time off....they have played so well together and we have all just been able to relax and take it easy! It has been a great time together!!! We still have a couple more days until we all go back to reality!!! But, I am thankful for the reality that we have! Enough money to have all we need, friends and family so full of love, Our God that is over all and in all, even in our toughest times. We are believing that 2012 is going to be a year full of healing for the Rodgers' family and full of joy in God's amazing hands!!!! Happy New Year!

Who says you can't have Christmas in November and then again in December???



In November, The kids and I headed to Paducah!




We met up with Uncle Kevin and Phebe for a quick visit, dinner and pictures at McDonalds!!!




While we were there we celebrated my birthday, had 2 Christmases before Thanksgiving, had Thanksgiving, and spent lots of great time with Family and Friends. Gramma got her Kidney stones all busted up too....that made her feel lots better:)









Family photo....Grandpa always loves having his picture taken!!









Gramma and her little santa and little elf!










Bob, Retie, Brian, and Lexi got to come!!!















My two siblings and their wonderful spouses!















The "big" kids!











The "little" kids!









Making cookies! (At our house, Christmas eve)









Christmas morning!









Queen Lacie!










Queen Gracie!












Brady lost a tooth! Tuesday, December 27th!!!












Christmas family photo!!!



























Marcella Shandi Stivers

Jody, Shannon and Hudson returned home from Ethiopia on Christmas night. They passed court and now Marcella is officially a Stivers! They got to spend some days with her while they were there but then had to leave her for just a few more weeks until they go get her for good. I can't wait to meet her!!! She is so very precious and sweet in the pictures.....which I will post when I can get my computer to save them!!! Thank you, Lord, for Marcella!